Fleeing from police has landed two southern Ontario residents in trouble following a string of incidents early Saturday morning east of Marathon, that resulted in a highway closure, due to a vehicle fire.

The incident tipped off just after 2 a.m. when members of the Anishinabek Police Service initiated a traffic stop after observing a traffic violation.

But following initial contact, the vehicle fled from officers along Highway 17.

Officers with the Ontario Provincial Police then located and attempted to stop the vehicle as well but were unsuccessful, prompting the deployment of a spike strip, which successfully punctured the tires, but the vehicle continued to flee from police.

Police later found the vehicle engulfed in flames, with the two suspects fleeing into the nearby woods.

As a result of the fire Highway 17 was closed for a period of time.

Eventually, officers located both suspects, an 18-year-old man from Tillsonburg and a 17-year-old from Drumbo.

The 18-year-old faces charges of:

• Dangerous Operation
• Flight from Peace Officer
• Obstruct Peace Officer – two counts

Meanwhile the 17-year-old faces one count of:

• Obstruct Peace Officer

Both of the accused have since been released from custody and are set to appear in court at a later date.